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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
HOUSTON (AP) -- Hakeem Olajuwon is back and the Houston Rockets
seem to think they are too.
|  | | Hakeem Olajuwon had 11 points and seven rebounds in 21 minutes. |
Olajuwon returned from the injured list just in time to show a
few of his moves and contribute to a blowout second quarter as the
Houston Rockets handed the Utah Jazz their worst defeat of the
season, 109-86 Tuesday night.
"It was great to have Dream back and sharp," Rockets coach
Rudy Tomjanovich said. "He's an amazing player and an amazing
person. It was particularly amazing that he was so sharp after
missing nine games.
"He's our pillar of strength. He means so much to us. He gives
us all an emotional boost."
The Rockets snapped a three-game losing streak and kept alive
slim hopes of making the playoffs. The Jazz lost to the Rockets for
only the second time in the last 16 games between the teams.
"I felt I was comfortable," Olajuwon said. "My conditioning
was much better than I thought. Conditioning is the key.
Physically, I am very strong."
Utah's previous worst loss was 105-90 to Sacramento on March 11
and this one didn't set very well with Jazz coach Jerry Sloan.
"We wanted to win tonight but it looked to me like we packed it
in," Sloan said. "You'll have to ask them. I'm totally shocked we
didn't show more effort.
"Our offense was nonexistent. We're playing very selfishly
right now. Everybody wants to get his own shot. I told us to play
1-on-1 the second half and I hope we got it out of our system.
"We're not a good 1-on-1 team. Maybe they will prove me wrong
but they haven't yet."
Olajuwon thought his season and possibly his career was over two
weeks ago when doctors said he needed to be sidelined 3-to-6 months
for treatment of a blood clot in his lower left leg, but further
testing led to his return to the lineup.
Olajuwon sat out the first quarter and then got a standing
ovation and a "Welcome back Hakeem" from the crowd when he
reported for the start of the second period.
"That was a pleasant surprise," Olajuwon said. "There's no
question as to why I love Houston. It was a great feeling to beat
them so comfortably from the beginning."
The Rockets joined in the cheering and then outscored the Jazz
39-16 in the second period for a 66-39 halftime lead after breaking
away from a 27-23 lead at the first quarter break.
Olajuwon sank a 13-foot jumper during the run for his first
points since he was placed on the disabled list March 15. Olajuwon
played nine minutes of the second quarter and returned in the
fourth quarter and slammed home an alley-oop pass from Walt
Williams.
Olajuwon had 11 points in 21 minutes and led the Rockets with
seven rebounds. Steve Francis led the Rockets with 18 points and
nine assists.
Donyell Marshall was Utah's most effective scorer in the first
half with 14 points. He finished with 17 to lead the Jazz.
"I think it can look selfish if you 're watching it," Utah's
John Stockton said. "We've got to trust each other on both ends of
the floor and that's all I really have to say about that."
Game notes
Shandon Anderson, originally listed as out with a sore
right foot, played against the Jazz, extending his string of
consecutive games played to 324. Anderson's streak is the fifth
longest in NBA history. ... Karl Malone needed one field goal to
reach 12,000 for his career. He was 6-for-14 and now has 12,005.
Malone became the NBA's all-time leader in free throws made on
Saturday and now has 8,540.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Utah Clubhouse
Houston Clubhouse
Olajuwon makes quick comeback for Rockets
RECAPS
Indiana 110
Washington 102
Boston 115
Atlanta 112
Toronto 101
Miami 92
Houston 109
Utah 86
San Antonio 93
Charlotte 79
LA Clippers 101
Detroit 94
Sacramento 124
New York 117
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Hakeem Olajuwon understands his conditioning will come along naturally.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Hakeem Olajuwon's return gives coach Rudy Tomjanovich and the Rockets a huge emotional boost.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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